Crime & Government

The Crook County Board of Commissioners formally selected Will Van Vactor as the new Crook County Manager. Van Vactor had been serving as the interim manager, but previously served as the Community Development Director.

Incumbent Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford declared victory on Wednesday in his effort for re-election. Crawford was challenged by local businessman and former commissioner Ken Fahlgren.

Following recent controversy surrounding the Crook County Fair Board's improper use of executive session as part of a process to fill a vacancy on its board, the Fair Board on Monday (Nov. 4th) shockingly voted to defy the Crook County Board of Commissioners who directed the Fair Board to restart its process to recommend a candidate to fill the vacancy.

The former executive director of a Prineville-based non-profit has filed a lawsuit against the organization for breach of contract and retaliation as a whistleblower, according to court documents.

The City of Prineville formally welcomed a new law enforcement veteran to its department during a public city counsel meeting on Oct. 22nd.

The Prineville Police are currently suffering from technical issues tied to a recent hardware and software update a month ago that is reportedly preventing the release of any body-worn-camera (BWC) video.

On Wednesday, the City of Prineville announced that Jeff Profio, a seasoned police officer from San Jose, California, will take over as the new police chief, effective November 18. Profio was selected from a pool of finalists who participated in interviews in April, during the first of two rounds of candidates considered for the role this summer.

A Prineville car salesman and his business are coming under fire by a growing list victims for allegedly cheating them out of tens of thousands of dollars -- which combined might be total hundreds of thousands. Central Oregon Motors, LLC, and its owner Michael Dwayne Smetzer, are also named defendants in two lawsuits for over $1.3 million.

The owners of a Prineville company have been fined by the Oregon Construction & Contractors Board for "Advertising or bidding without a CCB license" according to records obtained by the Prineville Review.

Prineville, Ore. - The Crook County Fair Board made its pick to recommend to County Commissioners for appointment to a recently vacated Fair Board...